Evan Silva

Matchups

Matchups: Lean on Lloyd

Mark Sanchez has played five good quarters and three bad ones through two weeks of action. His kryptonite has and will continue to be defensive pressure. After an impressive opening 15 minutes against the Steelers in Week 2, Sanchez's performance went in the tank as OLB LaMarr Woodley almost single-handedly controlled the game for the final 45. While the Dolphins don't typically present an imposing pass-defense matchup, LE Cameron Wake and red-hot DT Randy Starks are capable of similarly putting the brakes on New York's passing attack. ... The Jets are a philosophically run-first offense and don't match up well with the Dolphins' run-dominant defense. What Miami lacks in cover corners it has in spades inside the trenches. In their first two games, the Fins have allowed just 101 rushing yards on 43 carries (2.35 YPC) to opposing running backs, and Arian Foster, Ben Tate, and Darren McFadden are no slouches. The Jets will have to have to rely on Sanchez's arm to move the ball on Sunday. I don't think it's going to be pretty.

Stephen Hill is long on talent, but consistency will be elusive. After a 5/89/2 Opening Day line, Hill crashed back to Earth with a catchless Week 2 game on two targets. He's a fantasy WR5. ... Santonio Holmes caught two balls for 25 yards and a TD on the Jets' first drive at Pittsburgh. He proceeded to run lazy routes and get shut down by Ike Taylor the rest of the way, securing just one of his final seven targets for a gain of three yards. Holmes has a favorable Week 3 matchup on paper, but he's far from a trustworthy fantasy option. ... Bilal Powell saw increased playing time following Shonn Greene's Week 2 head injury. Powell is worth stashing in 12-team leagues as an RB5, but no Jets running back is a viable play in this impossible matchup. Powell is ahead of Joe McKnight on the depth chart and has been for a while. ... Dustin Keller is tentatively expected back from his hamstring strain this week, but he's had enough setbacks that he's not remotely on the fantasy radar for starting lineup purposes. ... Slot receiver Jeremy Kerley has been the Jets' most consistent and reliable wideout through two games. Kerley's playing time is less reliable because he rides the bench in two-wide packages and plays in a running offense that goes heavy on them.

Friday Update: Keller was listed as questionable on the final injury report, but did not practice and the beat writers in New York now expect him to miss this game.

Vegas put a 41.5-point over-under on Jets-Dolphins. It's the lowest of any Week 3 game and I think it might be generous. While it was nice to see Ryan Tannehill turn in a largely productive, efficient Week 2 game against the Raiders, he's now going from facing perhaps the league's worst pass defense to its best. I wouldn't expect much passing success from the Dolphins as a whole this week. ... Brian Hartline rejoined the starting lineup against Oakland to post career highs in yards (111) and receptions (9). This is great news for Tannehill, but Hartline is a WR4/5 versus Darrelle Revis & Co. ... Davone Bess is the other Dolphins starting receiver, with Legedu Naanee plummeting down the depth chart. Bess carries value in PPR leagues only, and even then it's not much. ... Reggie Bush is the lone start-able Dolphins skill-position player in Week 3. The Jets' defense lacks speed up front to prevent Bush from getting to the perimeter, and he's likely to have as much success as any Miami receiver on pass plays. Start Bush with confidence as an RB2 approaching legit RB1 status.

Although his production came late in a blowout against a weak Raiders defense, Dolphins rookie Lamar Miller flashed his big-time potential off the bench in Week 2 with 65 yards and a touchdown on ten runs. Miller has blinding speed and acceleration, and I would not be surprised if he passed sluggish holdover Daniel Thomas on the depth chart before long. Grab Miller in 14-team leagues. Miller is also worth stashing at the end of 12-team league rosters in "hopes" Bush goes down.

Score Prediction: Dolphins 13, Jets 10

Kansas City @ New Orleans

Entering the season, many observers anticipated Kansas City's defense being among the NFL's strongest. The opposite has been true. On Monday, Romeo Crennel was forced to announce that he'll stay on as head coach and defensive coordinator, as opposed to relieving himself of the latter duties following a brutal start. Crennel's defense has surrendered 67 points through two games, including five touchdown passes. They were lit up by the previously reeling Bills in Week 2. If the Chiefs' defense plays Sunday like it has the past two, Drew Brees and Marques Colston will have no trouble at all busting their slumps. ... It's safe to say Brees is "pressing" a bit, considering the facts that he's forcing throws into coverage and has four picks in the first two weeks. It's also safe to say he will get better. In his last eight home games, Brees has completed 216-of-315 passes (68.6 percent) for 2,789 yards (8.85 YPC), and a 29:6 TD-to-INT ratio. He's going to be just fine. ... Colston has been inches from three touchdowns in the first two weeks. While his speed-sapping foot injury is a mild concern, Colston's game has never been founded on creating large amounts of separation. Look for Colston to get off the schneid this week against Kansas City. If Dez Bryant is the best buy-low receiver in fantasy football, Colston is a very close second.

Darren Sproles doesn't have a single rushing attempt on the year, yet still ranks top-20 amongst fantasy backs and has been an RB1 in PPR leagues. Start him every week regardless of format. ... Mark Ingram needs the Saints to either be playing in a close game or with a lead in order to produce starting-caliber fantasy stats in a given week. He did that against Carolina in Week 2, rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Not much has changed for Ingram from 2011. He's a weekly flex option. ... Pierre Thomas totaled 143 yards last Sunday, but his week-to-week outlook remains the same. He's second in line for rushing attempts in New Orleans' backfield, and second in line for receptions as well. Though Thomas is arguably a better player, he's a weaker fantasy flex play than Ingram because the latter is a superior bet for red-zone scores. ... Brees' target distribution through two games: Jimmy Graham 23, Sproles 22, Colston and Lance Moore 15, Thomas 7, Devery Henderson 2, Ingram 1. ... While Moore is always a threat for big games, his role in the Saints' offense makes him inherently inconsistent as the fourth option in the passing attack. Moore continues to play more snaps than last season, though, and should finish with a better year-ending stat line. His big weeks will just be impossible to predict.

Saints-Chiefs has Week 3's highest over-under, in part because New Orleans is lethal offensively at home and more so because neither of these defenses has shown an ability to stop anyone. The Saints have given up more yards than any team in the league. They're tied for the NFL lead in points allowed with -- you guessed it -- the Chiefs. It is a constant theme in the Matchups columns that we recommend starting players involved in likely shootouts. This is a likely shootout, so trot out your studs and use the high-scoring projection as a tiebreaker for lineup decisions. ... Matt Cassel is no one's idea of a QB1, but he should be started pretty confidently in two-quarterback leagues. Though Kansas City's offensive philosophy is run-heavy, Cassel has been racking up pass attempts due to large deficits. Look for him to keep it up against a New Orleans ballclub that can't get pressure on the quarterback. ... Dexter McCluster's role dwindled in Week 2 after his buzz-generating opener, but he's worth a look in PPR leagues squaring off with overwhelmed Saints rookie slot cornerback Corey White. White was regularly toasted in the first two weeks.

Dwayne Bowe is a top-ten receiver play in this matchup. He will be targeted heavily. ... I reviewed the Chiefs-Bills tape and Jamaal Charles looked fast, elusive, and healthy before an apparent second-quarter knee bruise cost him second-half playing time. Practicing fully, I would start him with confidence in this game. Charles is a much better buy-low trade target than Chris Johnson. He’s willing to fight for yards and his offensive line can run block. ... Peyton Hillis is clearly an inferior runner to Charles. While Hillis plays more in the passing game, he has not exhibited big-play ability in the first two games and generally performed in a sluggish manner. All that said, Hillis remains on the flex radar this week due to the opponent. New Orleans has allowed league-highs in rushing yards (372) and touchdowns (5) through two weeks. ... Jon Baldwin's snaps crept up from 22 in the opener to 39 in Week 2, although it was attributable to come-from-behind mode. Baldwin is rotating with Steve Breaston opposite Bowe.

Score Prediction: Saints 33, Chiefs 24

Cincinnati @ Washington

The Redskins have the NFL's fourth-ranked rushing offense through two weeks, and it's difficult to imagine the Bengals stopping them. Once a feared defense, the Bengals are getting gashed both up front and in the back end. Mike Zimmer's unit was bullied around the field by the lowly Browns in Week 2. It's a personnel issue. Alfred Morris is unspeakably slow by NFL tailback standards, but he's a good bet for another 80-100 yard day. Keep trotting out Morris as a flex until Shanahan & Son bench him. (It will happen eventually; just hopefully not this week.) ... Both of Robert Griffin III's Week 2 rushing touchdowns appeared to be drawn up and designed deep in the red zone. Shanahan & Son have kept fantasy owners up at night with their running back deployment, but the aggressive usage of Griffin should please the masses. After losing OLB Brian Orakpo (pectoral) and DE Adam Carriker (quadriceps) for the season, the Redskins may also be headed for a high volume of shootout-type games. Washington had been counting on its front seven to mask the secondary deficiencies. They're going to struggle to put heat on opposing quarterbacks now. That may cost the Redskins in the won-loss column, but it's going to help pad Griffin's fantasy stats.

Fred Davis leads Washington in targets (9) through two games, but passes aren't being thrown his way downfield. He's doing a lot of blocking and running routes around the line of scrimmage. I wouldn't bet on Davis busting his slump this week. ... Keep Evan Royster rostered in 12-team leagues. While it isn't saying much, Royster has better burst than Morris. He was also in the game quite a bit late against the Rams. Roy Helu appears entrenched as a situational passing-down back only, with Royster second in line for early-down work. ... Josh Morgan made Week 2's most boneheaded play, chucking the ball at a St. Louis defender and drawing a late fourth-quarter unsportsmanlike penalty with Washington driving and down by three. Morgan cost his team a chance to tie the game, and I wouldn't be surprised if the flag costs him playing time to Leonard Hankerson going forward. Hankerson secured two of his three Week 2 targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. ... Santana Moss can be dropped in fantasy leagues as a slot receiver who plays only in the nickel offense. Moss has 61 yards on eight targets so far. ... It doesn't look like X receiver Pierre Garcon (foot) will play against Cincinnati, but I wouldn't look for WR3 fill-in value here. Aldrick Robinson and Hankerson rotated evenly with Garcon out in Week 2. Neither is a trustworthy option. I'd take Hankerson over Robinson if forced to choose between those two.

Friday Update: Garcon was listed as doubtful, which is a downgrade from last week's questionable tag. He won't play against the Bengals. The rest of the Redskins' receivers remain rolls of the dice, but I'd look at Hankerson if I really wanted to start one of them in this mouth-watering matchup. OC Kyle Shanahan had high praise for Hankerson during the practice week, and the ball goes to the X receiver in Washington's scheme. Hankerson offers quite a bit of upside for a guy you can probably scoop up off the waiver wire on Friday or Saturday.

Andy Dalton's Week 2 box score looks good, but the game tape doesn't. Dalton has Andrew Hawkins' open-field elusiveness and Brandon Tate's straight-line speed to thank for two of his three touchdown passes, and Dalton flat-out missed an alarmingly high number of open throws against a bad Cleveland pass defense playing without its top corner. The Skins are also porous against the pass, but not to the point that Dalton is worth consideration as a standard-league starter. He's just a two-QB league option. ... I do think Washington's secondary and pass rush woes elevate A.J. Green from mid-range WR1 to elite receiver start. The Redskins entered the season relying on Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan's outside pass rush to mask deficiencies at safety and cornerback. The Washington back end played atrociously last week against the Rams, with Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson running around wide open throughout the secondary as Sam Bradford had ample time to throw. Green has been solid in the first two games, but he could be headed for an explosion week. Jim Haslett's defense has little or no prayer of stopping him.

Upstart slot receiver Andrew Hawkins is a dicey fantasy bet week in and week out because he only plays on passing downs. Through two games, Hawkins' snap rate stands at a paltry 48.9 percent. Hawkins has made up for it so far with playmaking ability and Week 1 comeback mode against the Ravens, but he will struggle to keep it up without a major bump in playing time. He's high-risk. ... Tate and Armon Binns will be incredibly inconsistent because they rotate at "X" receiver. Binns starts and plays more snaps, but it's a dilemma to avoid. ... Jermaine Gresham has gone 22 straight games without hitting 75 yards. He will never be a viable fantasy starter in Jay Gruden's brand of offense. ... The talent differential between Trent Richardson and BenJarvus Green-Ellis was enormous in favor of the rookie during last week's Browns-Bengals game. Green-Ellis has no big-play ability, plays sparingly in the passing game, and is about to start losing touches to now-healthy Bernard Scott. Strongly consider trading Green-Ellis while you can still get something worthwhile. He'll be a drain on your week when he doesn't score at the goal line.

Score Prediction: Redskins 28, Bengals 17

St. Louis @ Chicago

The Bears dispute the Chicago Sun-Times' description of Matt Forte's injury as a high ankle sprain, but Forte won't be playing this week and perhaps not for a while. While Michael Bush lacks Forte's elusiveness and long speed, he can compensate with three-down tools and sheer volume. Bears OC Mike Tice has installed an old-school power-running offense this season, and Bush is now tasked with carrying the mail. It's a recipe for huge workloads. Through two weeks, St. Louis' defense has permitted 259 yards on 47 carries. The 5.51 yards-per-rush average is the highest in the NFL, and the Rams have also allowed four rushing touchdowns in two games. Trot out Bush as a borderline RB1. ... Bears rookie Alshon Jeffery has a boatload of ability, but is a sub-60 percent receiver at this point, rotating with Devin Hester (37 percent) and Earl Bennett (45 percent) across from Brandon Marshall (96 percent). Consistency will be elusive. Unsurprisingly, Jeffery followed up his 3/80/1 Opening Day stat line with one catch for seven yards last Thursday night against the Packers. Jeffery won't be a reliable fantasy option until his field time increases.

Jay Cutler is much better than his Week 2 showing at Green Bay might suggest, but the Bears' offensive line problems remain alive and well and that was evident in the 23-10 defeat. They're a definite concern for Cutler's fantasy outlook. On paper, a matchup "versus St. Louis" typically appears enticing, but the Rams' greatest team strength is pass defense with Chris Long and Robert Quinn bending the edges and Janoris Jenkins and Cortland Finnegan patrolling the back end. Cutler and his pass protection need to string together a couple of promising efforts before we entertain him as a legitimate QB1. ... There are two surefire fantasy starters on the Bears' roster. They are Bush and Brandon Marshall. Though Marshall was shut down by Tramon Williams last week, fantasy leaguers need to shake off the disappointing outing and keep running him out there as a WR1/2. ... Cutler's target distribution through two games: Marshall 20, Forte 11, Bennett 10, Kellen Davis and Jeffery 7, Hester 3, Bush 0. ... Keep in mind that those old Forte targets will now be directed Bush's way. ... Davis caught a touchdown pass in Week 2, but he isn't even a TE2.

I don't blame anyone for being down on Steven Jackson as a fantasy back with no touchdowns, 14.2 standard-league points, and an alleged groin injury through two weeks. But let's be clear about something: S-Jax is still a ferocious, explosive runner capable of punishing a defense with a little bit of help from the guys around him. Even with Danny Amendola racking up catches left and right, Jackson was the best skill-position player on the field in the first half of last week's Rams-Redskins game. He's got plenty left in the tank. ... It should be obvious but I've been asked about it: Daryl Richardson is not taking Jackson's job. While the seventh-round pick has impressed with speed to burn and silky change-of-direction skills, Richardson is a boom-or-bust finesse runner. He is and will remain a pace-change back until he shows an ability to churn his legs through contact. Richardson is easy to tackle when the blocking doesn't get him out in space. ... Drop Isaiah Pead if you haven't already. Whereas Richardson played 43 snaps in Week 2, Pead was in there for two offensive plays. Richardson ran a full circle around his more heralded competition.

Friday Update: Jackson missed practice all week and is listed as questionable on the injury report. Coach Jeff Fisher says his playing status will be decided just before Sunday's game, presumably based on a pre-game warmup. Check back Sunday morning for the Rams' inactives, but this is a fantasy situation I'd try to avoid. The matchup is difficult, the health status of Jackson is almost a complete unknown, and the seventh-round rookie Richardson would be a shot in the dark as a fantasy option in the event Jackson were ruled out.

Amendola was a machine against the Redskins. He amazingly caught a pass on each of St. Louis' first seven successful offensive plays. The Redskins had no answer as Amendola racked up 12 first-half receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. St. Louis spent much of the second half trying to run out the clock. Amendola won't be open that often on a regular basis, but he's clearly the featured player in the Rams' passing game. Consider Amendola a WR3 option in standard leagues and every-week PPR starter. ... Amendola is the possession target while Brandon Gibson is the guy the Rams want to get the ball to downfield. He has a touchdown in each of the first two games. Just be careful. St. Louis opened the year against two of the NFL's worst pass defenses (Detroit, Washington), and Chicago's is much stingier. I might grab Gibson as a WR5, but he's not a starter against the Bears. ... Sam Bradford looked pretty good against the Redskins on frequent rollouts and boots as St. Louis schemed to get him outside the pocket. Like Josh Freeman in Tampa Bay, Bradford's fantasy ceiling is curtailed by a philosophically run-first offense. But he's someone to keep an eye on as a potential QB2 pickup. Through two weeks, Bradford has a 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio and 71.7 completion rate. His 8.5 YPA would be a career high by over two full yards.

Score Prediction: Bears 23, Rams 16

1:00PM ET Games

Tampa Bay @ Dallas

If Week 2 was any indication, the Bucs' defense is at least almost as bad as we thought. The Giants put an offensive licking on Tampa Bay. Eli Manning set a career high -- by 90 -- with 510 yards, and Hakeem Nicks (199), Victor Cruz (179), Martellus Bennett (72), and Andre Brown (90, all-purpose) all did the same. The most overwhelmed defender on the Bucs' side was CB Aqib Talib, who was exposed for the vast majority of Nicks' yardage while also being flagged for two big pass interference calls. Dez Bryant is currently the best buy-low receiver target in fantasy football, and he may be impossible to acquire after this date with Talib. Start 'em. ... Miles Austin is the No. 8 overall fantasy wideout through two weeks of action. Despite little "buzz," he's scored in each of Dallas' first two games and leads all Cowboys in targets. Here is Tony Romo's target distribution on the young season: Austin 14, Jason Witten 13, Bryant and Kevin Ogletree 12, Felix Jones 7, DeMarco Murray 6. ... Ogletree isn't "the next Laurent Robinson," after all, and was targeted just once in Week 2 after his 11-target opener. He may have some more big games over the course of the season, but Ogletree will struggle for consistency as Romo's fourth passing option at best.

The Bucs served up six catches for 56 yards to Greg Olsen in Week 1 and a 5/72/1 stat line to Martellus Bennett in the second game. Both also had wide-open drops. It's been easy to get open over the middle against Tampa Bay's defense, so this is a favorable matchup for Witten. I still wouldn't be thrilled with him as a season-long fantasy starter. ... Although Jones has one more target than Murray so far, Felix is playing extremely poorly. He's no threat whatsoever to Murray's workloads. ... Expect a bounce-back game from Murray in Week 3, after Seattle's stout front seven put a stranglehold on Dallas' running attack last Sunday. The Cowboys should control this game, allowing Murray to pile up rushing attempts. Falling behind early to the Seahawks cost Murray in Week 2, as he touched the ball just four times after the break. ... The Giants' passing-game destruction of Tampa Bay bodes positively for Romo's Week 3 prospects. Dallas pass catchers should be able to win at all areas of the field in Sunday's game, just as Eli's did. It may be a bit of a scoring bonanza for the Cowboys.

Doug Martin's 3.66 YPC average doesn't jump off the page, but he's maintained solid RB2 stats with massive workloads. He ranks fifth in the NFL in touches and has at least 20 carries in both of the Bucs' first two games. Still missing Pro Bowl NT Jay Ratliff (ankle), Dallas' run defense has been relatively leaky thus far. Paced by Marshawn Lynch and fading Ahmad Bradshaw, opposing starting tailbacks combined to tag the Cowboys for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries (4.65 YPC) in Weeks 1-2. Expect another busy day at the office for Martin. He continues to be the featured player in Tampa Bay's offense. ... Feel free to throw LeGarrette Blount into the dumpster fire. He's been demoted to No. 3 on the Bucs' depth chart -- behind Martin and D.J. Ware -- and is being carried on the 53-man roster only as an insurance policy. ... Tight end Dallas Clark secured three of his four Week 2 catches in comeback mode and needs the Buccaneers to be in constant passing situations to get on the football field, let alone produce. There are a host of better TE2s.

Josh Freeman isn't yet to the point where he's a strong QB2, but I thought he showed signs of progress after watching the Week 2 tape. He made several big-time vertical throws, hooking up with Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams. Freeman was a checkdown machine in August and the season opener. Dallas' pass defense has been nearly impenetrable, but keep tabs on Freeman to see if he makes more strides. ... Vincent Jackson separated with relative ease against New York's secondary, burning Corey Webster among others and benefiting from a successful play-action game. Just beware of this matchup. Through two weeks, Dallas has held opposing quarterbacks to 36-of-52 passing for just 364 yards (7.0 YPA) and two touchdowns. Working in V-Jax's favor will be the expected absence of FS Gerald Sensabaugh (calf). SS Barry Church (quadriceps) is also banged up. Under normal circumstances, the Cowboys would likely use Sensabaugh to play "over the top" of Jackson while jamming him with Morris Claiborne or Brandon Carr at the line. ... Although Williams scored in Weeks 1 and 2, he's seen just eight targets. The Bucs' run-heavy offense won't be able to support more than one fantasy-viable pass catcher over the long haul. Plenty of fantasy week-killing games are in Williams’ future.

Score Prediction: Cowboys 27, Bucs 13

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis

Week 3 will be a telling test of Blaine Gabbert's mettle. After a seemingly promising preseason and opener against the Vikings, Gabbert took a major step back as his offensive line crumbled in last Sunday's blowout loss to Houston. LE J.J. Watt ransacked the right side of Jacksonville's front five as Gabbert managed a pathetic 53 yards on 19 pass attempts before exiting with fourth-quarter toe and hamstring injuries. After absorbing three sacks and seven quarterback hits, will Gabbert return to the crawl space from which he played throughout his rookie season? I wouldn't recommend starting any Jags pass catchers as we find out. ... Coach Mike Mularkey called out Justin Blackmon this week for tentative, indecisive route running, which is another way of saying Blackmon needs to start getting open. I still think Blackmon will end up leading the Jaguars in receiving, but he obviously needs to be plastered to fantasy benches for the foreseeable future.

As the Jags attempt to stay alive in games amid pass protection problems and Gabbert's struggles, they figure to turn the offense over to Maurice Jones-Drew. MJD looked sharp on 15 touches in Week 2, but falling behind big to the Texans cost him opportunities as the game got out of hand. The Jaguars should be more competitive this week. Rashad Jennings may return from his knee injury, but he is no longer a significant threat to Jones-Drew's workload. Expect 20-25 carries out of MJD and 3-5 receptions. While the Colts' defense has changed under Chuck Pagano and Greg Manusky, Jones-Drew has had a ton of historical success versus Indy. In 12 career meetings with the Colts, he's averaged 5.27 yards per carry on 230 rushing attempts and scored a dozen TDs.

Friday Update: Jennings is listed as doubtful on the injury report and will not play against the Colts. Jones-Drew will handle a full workload.

Andrew Luck ranks 20th in quarterback points through two games, settling in as a two-QB league option only. Whereas Jacksonville has been gashed by the run thus far, coordinator Mel Tucker's defense continues to stifle opposing passing games with a Cover-2 shell that prevents big pass plays. The Jaguars haven't surrendered a single passing touchdown yet, and get top corner Derek Cox back from his hamstring injury this week. Luck is just a QB2. ... It might be time to start taking Donnie Avery seriously as a fantasy contributor, though. Benefiting from more attention paid to Reggie Wayne by the Vikings' Week 2 defense, Avery racked up team highs in targets (10), receptions (9), and yards (111) a week after securing Luck's first career touchdown pass. Avery's strengths (deep speed) and weaknesses (physicality, durability) are such that he may always struggle with week-to-week consistency, but he'll remain a threat for big games as long as Austin Collie (concussions) continues to miss them. Although Collie practiced extensively this week, I wouldn’t expect to feel confident about his availability until just before Sunday’s game. His immediate on-field role remains unclear.

Friday Update: Collie is listed as probable on the injury report after a full practice week. He still must receive doctors' approval to play, however, and Collie will visit a head specialist on Saturday. If Collie is active on Sunday morning, use this as a "wait-and-see" week for the Colts' receiver spot across from Wayne.

After scoring a Week 1 touchdown and averaging 5.3 yards per carry against the Bears, the real Donald Brown showed up last Sunday. Consistently stuffed around the line of scrimmage by the Vikings, Brown's YPC dropped to 2.81 and he was nonexistent in the passing game for a second straight week. The matchup is right for Brown against Jacksonville, but the talent just isn't there. He comes off the field on all passing downs and requires offensive line domination for productive rushing efforts. Brown is and will continue to be a weak flex option. ... Luck's target distribution through two games: Reggie Wayne 25, Avery 18, Coby Fleener 14, Kris Adams (who?) 7, Mewelde Moore 3, Brown 2, Dwayne Allen 1. ... Collie's return could sting Wayne a bit, but there's no telling when that will happen and to what extent. Keep Wayne rolling in Week 3. He's an every-week WR2. ... Fleener received ten of his targets in Week 1, when the Colts played most of the game in comeback mode. Fleener's playing time was similar in both games, but he'll need to do more in order to earn mid-range TE2 consideration. Fleener isn't close to a legit fantasy starter.

Score Prediction: Colts 20, Jaguars 17

Buffalo @ Cleveland

I used Wednesday to re-watch Bills-Chiefs. C.J. Spiller's inside running still leaves something to be desired, but coach Chan Gailey did a terrific job of scheming him into space on draws, zone-read type handoffs, sweeps, and pass plays. Spiller is a homerun threat every time he gets to the perimeter, and will offer legit RB1 value until Fred Jackson (knee) returns, if not longer. Already lacking front-seven personnel to field a stingy run defense, the Browns are now trying to nurse back starting DT Billy Winn from a concussion. Start Spiller and make the rest of your lineup decisions around him. ... Tight end Scott Chandler is a post-up slot receiver in Buffalo's five-wide offense, but Ryan Fitzpatrick looks for him regularly deep in the red zone and he has a couple of touchdowns to show for it already. Chandler may always struggle for high reception and yardage totals, but he's never a poor bet to find pay dirt. I really like the fact that Chandler plays over 90 percent of the snaps, now, too. He didn't come close to that rate last year. More field time will increase Chandler's fantasy consistency. He's the primary beneficiary of David Nelson's ACL tear.

Fitzpatrick's target leaders through two weeks: Stevie Johnson 15, Chandler 11, Donald Jones 10, Spiller 6. ... Jones recorded a 5/41/1 line in the season opener, doing his damage in garbage time of a blowout loss to the Jets. He regressed to one catch for a loss of one on three targets in Week 2. While a fluky "breakout" game may come at some point, Jones is barely roster-worthy in 14-team leagues. ... Johnson remains the featured member of Buffalo's passing game and ranks 15th in fantasy receiver scoring after two games. Start Johnson every week, and particularly against the Joe Haden-less Browns. Cleveland's post-Haden pass defense busted Andy Dalton's ten-game slump last week. ... Fitzpatrick's fantasy stats don't look bad with five touchdown passes in the first two contests. His on-field performance has been far less remarkable, playing a major role in Buffalo's Week 1 48-28 defeat and managing the game in Week 2 with 19 pass attempts. Fitzpatrick is worth a two-quarterback league play against Cleveland, but he's not a top-12 option.

Trent Richardson's removal for Chris Ogbonnaya on pass downs may lead to some slow weeks when the Browns fall way behind, but the rookie looked every bit an RB1 in last Sunday's one-score loss to Cincinnati. Richardson ran angry, often requiring three or four Bengals to bring him down. He made unblocked defenders miss, accelerated through alleys, and got stronger as the game progressed. One of Richardson's most impressive traits is vision. Whereas BenJarvus Green-Ellis generally runs straight at a defender he'll spot 6-8 yards downfield, Richardson runs away from the enemy by ripping off a sharp lateral cut well before the two make open-field contact. He then blows by the off-balance defender with an outside burst of speed. The skill levels of Law Firm and Richardson are not close, but what really sets them apart is their running mindset. Richardson possesses dynamic talent and plays like it. Green-Ellis lacks dynamic talent and plays like it. From this point forward, start Richardson in fantasy every single week.

Cincinnati's defense lacks outside-edge rushers and can't cover anybody in the back end, so with hindsight on our side, it's probably not shocking that Brandon Weeden had a good game against the Bengals. After watching his horrendous preseason and opener, though, we need more data for confidence in the Browns' passing game. Weeden enjoyed a squeaky-clean pocket against Cincinnati, and we already knew he could spin the football beautifully in what essentially amounts to a 7-on-7 pickup game. The Bengals gave Weeden forever to throw. Let's see him do it against a Bills defense that sacked Matt Cassel five times with five additional hits in Week 2. ... Weeden's target distribution through two games: Mohamed Massaquoi 15, Greg Little 11, Richardson 8, Josh Gordon 7, Ogbonnaya 6, Alex Smith 5, Ben Watson 3. ... Massaquoi had 90 yards in Week 2 -- a high in his last 37 games. While Buffalo's pass defense is unimposing, Massaquoi has been consistently unreliable and inefficient throughout his career. Little is the only Browns pass catcher worth Week 3 fantasy consideration, and even he would be a low-end WR3.

Score Prediction: Bills 24, Browns 14

NY Jets @ Miami

Mark Sanchez has played five good quarters and three bad ones through two weeks of action. His kryptonite has and will continue to be defensive pressure. After an impressive opening 15 minutes against the Steelers in Week 2, Sanchez's performance went in the tank as OLB LaMarr Woodley almost single-handedly controlled the game for the final 45. While the Dolphins don't typically present an imposing pass-defense matchup, LE Cameron Wake and red-hot DT Randy Starks are capable of similarly putting the brakes on New York's passing attack. ... The Jets are a philosophically run-first offense and don't match up well with the Dolphins' run-dominant defense. What Miami lacks in cover corners it has in spades inside the trenches. In their first two games, the Fins have allowed just 101 rushing yards on 43 carries (2.35 YPC) to opposing running backs, and Arian Foster, Ben Tate, and Darren McFadden are no slouches. The Jets will have to have to rely on Sanchez's arm to move the ball on Sunday. I don't think it's going to be pretty.

Stephen Hill is long on talent, but consistency will be elusive. After a 5/89/2 Opening Day line, Hill crashed back to Earth with a catchless Week 2 game on two targets. He's a fantasy WR5. ... Santonio Holmes caught two balls for 25 yards and a TD on the Jets' first drive at Pittsburgh. He proceeded to run lazy routes and get shut down by Ike Taylor the rest of the way, securing just one of his final seven targets for a gain of three yards. Holmes has a favorable Week 3 matchup on paper, but he's far from a trustworthy fantasy option. ... Bilal Powell saw increased playing time following Shonn Greene's Week 2 head injury. Powell is worth stashing in 12-team leagues as an RB5, but no Jets running back is a viable play in this impossible matchup. Powell is ahead of Joe McKnight on the depth chart and has been for a while. ... Dustin Keller is tentatively expected back from his hamstring strain this week, but he's had enough setbacks that he's not remotely on the fantasy radar for starting lineup purposes. ... Slot receiver Jeremy Kerley has been the Jets' most consistent and reliable wideout through two games. Kerley's playing time is less reliable because he rides the bench in two-wide packages and plays in a running offense that goes heavy on them.

Friday Update: Keller was listed as questionable on the final injury report, but did not practice and the beat writers in New York now expect him to miss this game.

Vegas put a 41.5-point over-under on Jets-Dolphins. It's the lowest of any Week 3 game and I think it might be generous. While it was nice to see Ryan Tannehill turn in a largely productive, efficient Week 2 game against the Raiders, he's now going from facing perhaps the league's worst pass defense to its best. I wouldn't expect much passing success from the Dolphins as a whole this week. ... Brian Hartline rejoined the starting lineup against Oakland to post career highs in yards (111) and receptions (9). This is great news for Tannehill, but Hartline is a WR4/5 versus Darrelle Revis & Co. ... Davone Bess is the other Dolphins starting receiver, with Legedu Naanee plummeting down the depth chart. Bess carries value in PPR leagues only, and even then it's not much. ... Reggie Bush is the lone start-able Dolphins skill-position player in Week 3. The Jets' defense lacks speed up front to prevent Bush from getting to the perimeter, and he's likely to have as much success as any Miami receiver on pass plays. Start Bush with confidence as an RB2 approaching legit RB1 status.

Although his production came late in a blowout against a weak Raiders defense, Dolphins rookie Lamar Miller flashed his big-time potential off the bench in Week 2 with 65 yards and a touchdown on ten runs. Miller has blinding speed and acceleration, and I would not be surprised if he passed sluggish holdover Daniel Thomas on the depth chart before long. Grab Miller in 14-team leagues. Miller is also worth stashing at the end of 12-team league rosters in "hopes" Bush goes down.

Score Prediction: Dolphins 13, Jets 10

Kansas City @ New Orleans

Entering the season, many observers anticipated Kansas City's defense being among the NFL's strongest. The opposite has been true. On Monday, Romeo Crennel was forced to announce that he'll stay on as head coach and defensive coordinator, as opposed to relieving himself of the latter duties following a brutal start. Crennel's defense has surrendered 67 points through two games, including five touchdown passes. They were lit up by the previously reeling Bills in Week 2. If the Chiefs' defense plays Sunday like it has the past two, Drew Brees and Marques Colston will have no trouble at all busting their slumps. ... It's safe to say Brees is "pressing" a bit, considering the facts that he's forcing throws into coverage and has four picks in the first two weeks. It's also safe to say he will get better. In his last eight home games, Brees has completed 216-of-315 passes (68.6 percent) for 2,789 yards (8.85 YPC), and a 29:6 TD-to-INT ratio. He's going to be just fine. ... Colston has been inches from three touchdowns in the first two weeks. While his speed-sapping foot injury is a mild concern, Colston's game has never been founded on creating large amounts of separation. Look for Colston to get off the schneid this week against Kansas City. If Dez Bryant is the best buy-low receiver in fantasy football, Colston is a very close second.

Darren Sproles doesn't have a single rushing attempt on the year, yet still ranks top-20 amongst fantasy backs and has been an RB1 in PPR leagues. Start him every week regardless of format. ... Mark Ingram needs the Saints to either be playing in a close game or with a lead in order to produce starting-caliber fantasy stats in a given week. He did that against Carolina in Week 2, rushing for 53 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Not much has changed for Ingram from 2011. He's a weekly flex option. ... Pierre Thomas totaled 143 yards last Sunday, but his week-to-week outlook remains the same. He's second in line for rushing attempts in New Orleans' backfield, and second in line for receptions as well. Though Thomas is arguably a better player, he's a weaker fantasy flex play than Ingram because the latter is a superior bet for red-zone scores. ... Brees' target distribution through two games: Jimmy Graham 23, Sproles 22, Colston and Lance Moore 15, Thomas 7, Devery Henderson 2, Ingram 1. ... While Moore is always a threat for big games, his role in the Saints' offense makes him inherently inconsistent as the fourth option in the passing attack. Moore continues to play more snaps than last season, though, and should finish with a better year-ending stat line. His big weeks will just be impossible to predict.

Saints-Chiefs has Week 3's highest over-under, in part because New Orleans is lethal offensively at home and more so because neither of these defenses has shown an ability to stop anyone. The Saints have given up more yards than any team in the league. They're tied for the NFL lead in points allowed with -- you guessed it -- the Chiefs. It is a constant theme in the Matchups columns that we recommend starting players involved in likely shootouts. This is a likely shootout, so trot out your studs and use the high-scoring projection as a tiebreaker for lineup decisions. ... Matt Cassel is no one's idea of a QB1, but he should be started pretty confidently in two-quarterback leagues. Though Kansas City's offensive philosophy is run-heavy, Cassel has been racking up pass attempts due to large deficits. Look for him to keep it up against a New Orleans ballclub that can't get pressure on the quarterback. ... Dexter McCluster's role dwindled in Week 2 after his buzz-generating opener, but he's worth a look in PPR leagues squaring off with overwhelmed Saints rookie slot cornerback Corey White. White was regularly toasted in the first two weeks.

Dwayne Bowe is a top-ten receiver play in this matchup. He will be targeted heavily. ... I reviewed the Chiefs-Bills tape and Jamaal Charles looked fast, elusive, and healthy before an apparent second-quarter knee bruise cost him second-half playing time. Practicing fully, I would start him with confidence in this game. Charles is a much better buy-low trade target than Chris Johnson. He’s willing to fight for yards and his offensive line can run block. ... Peyton Hillis is clearly an inferior runner to Charles. While Hillis plays more in the passing game, he has not exhibited big-play ability in the first two games and generally performed in a sluggish manner. All that said, Hillis remains on the flex radar this week due to the opponent. New Orleans has allowed league-highs in rushing yards (372) and touchdowns (5) through two weeks. ... Jon Baldwin's snaps crept up from 22 in the opener to 39 in Week 2, although it was attributable to come-from-behind mode. Baldwin is rotating with Steve Breaston opposite Bowe.

Score Prediction: Saints 33, Chiefs 24

Cincinnati @ Washington

The Redskins have the NFL's fourth-ranked rushing offense through two weeks, and it's difficult to imagine the Bengals stopping them. Once a feared defense, the Bengals are getting gashed both up front and in the back end. Mike Zimmer's unit was bullied around the field by the lowly Browns in Week 2. It's a personnel issue. Alfred Morris is unspeakably slow by NFL tailback standards, but he's a good bet for another 80-100 yard day. Keep trotting out Morris as a flex until Shanahan & Son bench him. (It will happen eventually; just hopefully not this week.) ... Both of Robert Griffin III's Week 2 rushing touchdowns appeared to be drawn up and designed deep in the red zone. Shanahan & Son have kept fantasy owners up at night with their running back deployment, but the aggressive usage of Griffin should please the masses. After losing OLB Brian Orakpo (pectoral) and DE Adam Carriker (quadriceps) for the season, the Redskins may also be headed for a high volume of shootout-type games. Washington had been counting on its front seven to mask the secondary deficiencies. They're going to struggle to put heat on opposing quarterbacks now. That may cost the Redskins in the won-loss column, but it's going to help pad Griffin's fantasy stats.

Fred Davis leads Washington in targets (9) through two games, but passes aren't being thrown his way downfield. He's doing a lot of blocking and running routes around the line of scrimmage. I wouldn't bet on Davis busting his slump this week. ... Keep Evan Royster rostered in 12-team leagues. While it isn't saying much, Royster has better burst than Morris. He was also in the game quite a bit late against the Rams. Roy Helu appears entrenched as a situational passing-down back only, with Royster second in line for early-down work. ... Josh Morgan made Week 2's most boneheaded play, chucking the ball at a St. Louis defender and drawing a late fourth-quarter unsportsmanlike penalty with Washington driving and down by three. Morgan cost his team a chance to tie the game, and I wouldn't be surprised if the flag costs him playing time to Leonard Hankerson going forward. Hankerson secured two of his three Week 2 targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. ... Santana Moss can be dropped in fantasy leagues as a slot receiver who plays only in the nickel offense. Moss has 61 yards on eight targets so far. ... It doesn't look like X receiver Pierre Garcon (foot) will play against Cincinnati, but I wouldn't look for WR3 fill-in value here. Aldrick Robinson and Hankerson rotated evenly with Garcon out in Week 2. Neither is a trustworthy option. I'd take Hankerson over Robinson if forced to choose between those two.

Friday Update: Garcon was listed as doubtful, which is a downgrade from last week's questionable tag. He won't play against the Bengals. The rest of the Redskins' receivers remain rolls of the dice, but I'd look at Hankerson if I really wanted to start one of them in this mouth-watering matchup. OC Kyle Shanahan had high praise for Hankerson during the practice week, and the ball goes to the X receiver in Washington's scheme. Hankerson offers quite a bit of upside for a guy you can probably scoop up off the waiver wire on Friday or Saturday.

Andy Dalton's Week 2 box score looks good, but the game tape doesn't. Dalton has Andrew Hawkins' open-field elusiveness and Brandon Tate's straight-line speed to thank for two of his three touchdown passes, and Dalton flat-out missed an alarmingly high number of open throws against a bad Cleveland pass defense playing without its top corner. The Skins are also porous against the pass, but not to the point that Dalton is worth consideration as a standard-league starter. He's just a two-QB league option. ... I do think Washington's secondary and pass rush woes elevate A.J. Green from mid-range WR1 to elite receiver start. The Redskins entered the season relying on Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan's outside pass rush to mask deficiencies at safety and cornerback. The Washington back end played atrociously last week against the Rams, with Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson running around wide open throughout the secondary as Sam Bradford had ample time to throw. Green has been solid in the first two games, but he could be headed for an explosion week. Jim Haslett's defense has little or no prayer of stopping him.

Upstart slot receiver Andrew Hawkins is a dicey fantasy bet week in and week out because he only plays on passing downs. Through two games, Hawkins' snap rate stands at a paltry 48.9 percent. Hawkins has made up for it so far with playmaking ability and Week 1 comeback mode against the Ravens, but he will struggle to keep it up without a major bump in playing time. He's high-risk. ... Tate and Armon Binns will be incredibly inconsistent because they rotate at "X" receiver. Binns starts and plays more snaps, but it's a dilemma to avoid. ... Jermaine Gresham has gone 22 straight games without hitting 75 yards. He will never be a viable fantasy starter in Jay Gruden's brand of offense. ... The talent differential between Trent Richardson and BenJarvus Green-Ellis was enormous in favor of the rookie during last week's Browns-Bengals game. Green-Ellis has no big-play ability, plays sparingly in the passing game, and is about to start losing touches to now-healthy Bernard Scott. Strongly consider trading Green-Ellis while you can still get something worthwhile. He'll be a drain on your week when he doesn't score at the goal line.

Score Prediction: Redskins 28, Bengals 17

St. Louis @ Chicago

The Bears dispute the Chicago Sun-Times' description of Matt Forte's injury as a high ankle sprain, but Forte won't be playing this week and perhaps not for a while. While Michael Bush lacks Forte's elusiveness and long speed, he can compensate with three-down tools and sheer volume. Bears OC Mike Tice has installed an old-school power-running offense this season, and Bush is now tasked with carrying the mail. It's a recipe for huge workloads. Through two weeks, St. Louis' defense has permitted 259 yards on 47 carries. The 5.51 yards-per-rush average is the highest in the NFL, and the Rams have also allowed four rushing touchdowns in two games. Trot out Bush as a borderline RB1. ... Bears rookie Alshon Jeffery has a boatload of ability, but is a sub-60 percent receiver at this point, rotating with Devin Hester (37 percent) and Earl Bennett (45 percent) across from Brandon Marshall (96 percent). Consistency will be elusive. Unsurprisingly, Jeffery followed up his 3/80/1 Opening Day stat line with one catch for seven yards last Thursday night against the Packers. Jeffery won't be a reliable fantasy option until his field time increases.

Jay Cutler is much better than his Week 2 showing at Green Bay might suggest, but the Bears' offensive line problems remain alive and well and that was evident in the 23-10 defeat. They're a definite concern for Cutler's fantasy outlook. On paper, a matchup "versus St. Louis" typically appears enticing, but the Rams' greatest team strength is pass defense with Chris Long and Robert Quinn bending the edges and Janoris Jenkins and Cortland Finnegan patrolling the back end. Cutler and his pass protection need to string together a couple of promising efforts before we entertain him as a legitimate QB1. ... There are two surefire fantasy starters on the Bears' roster. They are Bush and Brandon Marshall. Though Marshall was shut down by Tramon Williams last week, fantasy leaguers need to shake off the disappointing outing and keep running him out there as a WR1/2. ... Cutler's target distribution through two games: Marshall 20, Forte 11, Bennett 10, Kellen Davis and Jeffery 7, Hester 3, Bush 0. ... Keep in mind that those old Forte targets will now be directed Bush's way. ... Davis caught a touchdown pass in Week 2, but he isn't even a TE2.

I don't blame anyone for being down on Steven Jackson as a fantasy back with no touchdowns, 14.2 standard-league points, and an alleged groin injury through two weeks. But let's be clear about something: S-Jax is still a ferocious, explosive runner capable of punishing a defense with a little bit of help from the guys around him. Even with Danny Amendola racking up catches left and right, Jackson was the best skill-position player on the field in the first half of last week's Rams-Redskins game. He's got plenty left in the tank. ... It should be obvious but I've been asked about it: Daryl Richardson is not taking Jackson's job. While the seventh-round pick has impressed with speed to burn and silky change-of-direction skills, Richardson is a boom-or-bust finesse runner. He is and will remain a pace-change back until he shows an ability to churn his legs through contact. Richardson is easy to tackle when the blocking doesn't get him out in space. ... Drop Isaiah Pead if you haven't already. Whereas Richardson played 43 snaps in Week 2, Pead was in there for two offensive plays. Richardson ran a full circle around his more heralded competition.

Friday Update: Jackson missed practice all week and is listed as questionable on the injury report. Coach Jeff Fisher says his playing status will be decided just before Sunday's game, presumably based on a pre-game warmup. Check back Sunday morning for the Rams' inactives, but this is a fantasy situation I'd try to avoid. The matchup is difficult, the health status of Jackson is almost a complete unknown, and the seventh-round rookie Richardson would be a shot in the dark as a fantasy option in the event Jackson were ruled out.

Amendola was a machine against the Redskins. He amazingly caught a pass on each of St. Louis' first seven successful offensive plays. The Redskins had no answer as Amendola racked up 12 first-half receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown. St. Louis spent much of the second half trying to run out the clock. Amendola won't be open that often on a regular basis, but he's clearly the featured player in the Rams' passing game. Consider Amendola a WR3 option in standard leagues and every-week PPR starter. ... Amendola is the possession target while Brandon Gibson is the guy the Rams want to get the ball to downfield. He has a touchdown in each of the first two games. Just be careful. St. Louis opened the year against two of the NFL's worst pass defenses (Detroit, Washington), and Chicago's is much stingier. I might grab Gibson as a WR5, but he's not a starter against the Bears. ... Sam Bradford looked pretty good against the Redskins on frequent rollouts and boots as St. Louis schemed to get him outside the pocket. Like Josh Freeman in Tampa Bay, Bradford's fantasy ceiling is curtailed by a philosophically run-first offense. But he's someone to keep an eye on as a potential QB2 pickup. Through two weeks, Bradford has a 4:1 TD-to-INT ratio and 71.7 completion rate. His 8.5 YPA would be a career high by over two full yards.

Score Prediction: Bears 23, Rams 16

San Francisco @ Minnesota

The 2012 49ers have a legitimate chance to be this decade's version of the 2000 Ravens. They render rushing attacks non-factors with dominance in the trenches, and keep quarterbacks under constant duress with edge benders and bull rushers. Offensively, the Niners mix a deep, effective run game with efficient passing. From a fantasy perspective, the Niners' defensive ruin of enemy ground games has the greatest box-score impact. If you're starting Adrian Peterson, it isn't because you think he'll light the 49ers up. San Francisco has permitted 85 yards on 31 carries (2.74 YPC) through two weeks. It's been five games (Week 17 last year) since they allowed a rushing touchdown. ... Percy Harvin has at least 100 total yards in seven of his last eight games. Locked in as a WR1, Harvin may be Minnesota's primary means of ball movement -- especially if Peterson is stifled. ... Something for fantasy leaguers to keep in mind: Jerome Simpson returns from suspension next week. Simpson has long been an inconsistent, unremarkable wide receiver, but Vikings coaches think highly of him and he's worth picking up to stash as a WR5.

Be it due to wideouts who can't separate downfield or his own tendency to drop his eyes, Christian Ponder leans heavily on the short passing game and his scrambling ability. Perhaps Simpson will change things, but so far this hasn't been a vertical offense. The horizontal approach suits Harvin, and the same will be said for Kyle Rudolph once he starts playing better. Rudolph has a drop in each of Minnesota's first two games, including one of a would-be red-zone score last week. If he converts those plays, we're talking about Rudolph as an every-week TE1. Through two games, tight end has been the one offensive position giving San Francisco problems. Jermichael Finley and Brandon Pettigrew both have touchdowns against them. ... Exclude Ponder's four games after his Week 13 hip pointer last year -- an injury that torpedoed his late-season performance -- and Ponder's career stats through eight healthy games stand at 168-of-278 (60.4 percent) for 2,037 yards (7.33 YPA), and an 11:8 TD-to-INT ratio. He's also run for 160 yards. That's quality QB2 production, and he should only get better. Ponder remains a low-end QB2 in this matchup.

The one advantage this year's 49ers have on the aforementioned Ravens team is more effective quarterback play. Alex Smith continues to play with consistency and efficiency, and over his last nine games has accounted for 15 all-purpose touchdowns. He's turned the ball over once. Smith is a high-end QB2 against a Minnesota defense that can take away run games but not stop the pass. ... Opposing quarterback stats bordered on prolific against the Vikings for much of 2011, and they've picked up where they left off. Blaine Gabbert and Andrew Luck combined to complete 43-of-70 passes (61.4 percent) for 484 yards (6.91 YPA), four touchdown passes, and no interceptions against the Vikes in Weeks 1-2. Passing success should not be difficult for the 49ers to come by. Start Vernon Davis confidently. ... Michael Crabtree continues to wallow as a low-end WR3 and figures to square off frequently Sunday with top Vikings CB Antoine Winfield. Though he's getting long in the tooth, Winfield is still exceptionally physical and effective in coverage.

Minnesota's run defense has been dominant for over a half-decade, and it's still going strong in the post-Pat Williams and E.J. Henderson era. Frank Gore is just playing too well to sit. While he remains a passing-game afterthought, Gore ranks fourth in the NFL in rushing and is averaging over six yards a pop. Even if the YPC average comes down against a stout Vikings front, Gore will be a solid bet for a touchdown with goal-line vulture Brandon Jacobs (knee) out another week. ... Kendall Hunter is one of the league's better and more consistently used change-of-pace backs, though he's rarely an effective flex option and certainly not in difficult matchups. Hunter has 16 touches for 85 yards through two games. He needs Gore to get injured or slow down to be start-able in fantasy leagues. ... Randy Moss and Mario Manningham are rotating as second receivers who are really third and fourth pass options behind Davis and Crabtree. Moss, coming off a one-catch, 14-yard game, is bench material in fantasy football. Manningham isn't worth a roster spot.

Score Prediction: 49ers 20, Vikings 17

Detroit @ Tennessee

While Jake Locker's physical tools continue to tease and entice, his early-season play has been problematic in crucial areas. At San Diego in Week 2, Locker showed an alarming propensity for running out of the pocket when pressured, and missing easy passes due to throwing off his back foot. He's also getting little help from his teammates. Tennessee has the worst running game in the league, and Pro Football Focus has charged Titans receivers with an NFL-most eight drops through two games. The Lions rank fourth in sacks and have defensive line talent to exploit the Titans' glaring weaknesses at center and right guard. (Ndamukong Suh plays a large majority of his snaps versus the latter position.) This is a difficult matchup for the Tennessee offense, and Locker played poorly enough last week that he may no longer have a long leash. The season is getting away from the Titans. ... Think about buying Chris Johnson low, then think again. CJ?K's post-Week 3 slate pits him against Houston, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh in Weeks 4-6. Perhaps he'll be benched for good by the time that run ends. Or maybe the Titans will still be trotting him out and you'll be able to get Johnson for near-free leading into Week 7. Current Johnson owners should bail if they can salvage something worthwhile. Target Jamaal Charles or Trent Richardson.

Kenny Britt played 19 snaps in his return from suspension and dual offseason knee scopes. He caught one ball for five yards on two targets at San Diego. Keep in mind the Titans only got off 42 plays as they were dominated in time of possession, so 19 snaps were almost half of what was available. And after watching All-22 tape of Britt's plays, I'm ready to start him in a fantasy league against Detroit. Britt exploded off the line as if he'd never been hurt and played extensively in the slot, where he'll be tougher to double team. Coach Mike Munchak confirmed Wednesday that he anticipates Britt playing "a lot more" in Week 3. I expect Britt to lead Tennessee in receiving the rest of the way. ... If Britt returns to dominant form as I suspect he can as soon as this week, Kendall Wright, Damian Williams, and Nate Washington will vie for leftover targets in what could be a bit of a fantasy-headache situation. Williams actually led that group in Week 2 snaps. Wright led in targets. Washington was fighting through a leg injury, although he's supposedly healthy this week. ... Jared Cook's playing time is way up from last season, but his box-score production has been disappointing along with the rest of Tennessee's offense. He's just a TE2 until we see more.

No team in football is as vulnerable up the middle as the Titans. FS Michael Griffin and SS Robert Johnson have been easy to beat in pass coverage, and MLB Colin McCarthy's (high ankle sprain) absence has been more than felt. The Titans allowed five passing touchdowns in Weeks 1 and 2. They were all scored by tight ends. If there was ever a week to play Brandon Pettigrew in your fantasy league, this is it. ... Both national and local projections envision about 12-16 touches for Mikel Leshoure in his Week 3 return from a two-game suspension on the heels of an Achilles' tear. It's a wait-and-see week for his fantasy prospects. Running backs notoriously struggle to regain burst after Achilles' surgery, and his 2.2 August YPC average inspired little confidence that Leshoure will beat the odds. ... It's been just two weeks and Kevin Smith's fantasy value already seems to be on shaky ground. The Lions increased Joique Bell's Week 2 involvement (8 touches) and now Leshoure is back. Tennessee does not play tough run defense, but it may not matter if Smith's playing time takes a sudden spill. While still offering a fair amount of upside as a skilled passing-down back in a pass-based offense, Smith has the look of an extremely dicey RB2/flex.

Opposing quarterback stats through two games against the Titans: 47-of-63 (74.6 percent) for 520 yards (8.25 YPA) and a 5:1 TD-to-INT ratio. Don't forget to start Matthew Stafford. ... Calvin Johnson has 14 catches for 205 yards on 19 targets after two weeks. He just hasn't found pay dirt yet. The touchdowns will come. ... Stafford's target distribution behind Megatron so far: Pettigrew 14, Tony Scheffler and Nate Burleson 11, Smith 9, Titus Young 6, Bell 3. ... Young isn't worth dropping, but he clearly isn't worth starting and doesn't look close. That could change in a matter of one week, of course. ... Scheffler (calf) is not expected to play Sunday. ... Burleson is just a guy and is not worth a fantasy roster spot. ... Rookie Ryan Broyles has yet to play an offensive snap.

Score Prediction: Lions 30, Titans 20

4:05PM ET Games

Atlanta @ San Diego

Ryan Mathews has received full medical clearance and practiced without limitations this week. I expect him to handle a near-full workload against Atlanta, based at least partially on the fact that Curtis Brinkley and Ronnie Brown were brutally bad during Mathews' time away, combining to average 1.84 yards per carry on 37 runs. Now playing on a short week after last Monday night's win, the Falcons' rush defense has been an early-season sieve, allowing opposing first-string tailbacks Willis McGahee and Jamaal Charles to combine for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries (5.26 YPC) in Weeks 1 and 2. Mathews will be a top-five weekly running back starter the rest of the way. ... Antonio Gates (ribs) was a last-minute scratch in Week 2, perhaps because the Chargers felt they could beat the scuffling Titans at home without him. Coach Norv Turner described Gates as "moving fast" and looking "good" following Wednesday's practice, and he had no late-week setbacks. Gates is still the heavy favorite for targets, receptions, and yards in Philip Rivers' pass-catching corps over the course of the year. Leave Dante Rosario on the waiver wire.

Considering the adversity he's been dealt at offensive line and receiver, I think it's fair to suggest that Rivers is playing some of his best ball. While he remains a low-end QB1 -- ranking 11th in fantasy quarterback scoring -- Rivers has kept you competitive thus far and can remain a matchup play. His blindside protection remains a big concern. Undrafted rookie LT Mike Harris was abused by Titans RE Kamerion Wimbley in Week 2, and Harris' sledding gets even tougher this week against Falcons RE John Abraham. It wouldn't be a bad idea to sell high on Rivers. I have no confidence that LT Jared Gaither (back) will get his act together. ... Rivers' targets through two weeks: Malcom Floyd 14, Brown and Brinkley 9, Gates 8 (missed one game), Robert Meachem 6, Eddie Royal and Rosario 5, Randy McMichael 4. ... Meachem is playing under 70 percent of the snaps and essentially running clear-out routes down the sideline while Rivers works the middle of the field and looks for Floyd on the perimeter. Meachem's role isn't far off what it was in New Orleans. He's a WR5. ... Royal remains the fantasy non-factor he's long been. ... Gates and Floyd are the only start-able Chargers pass catchers for the foreseeable future. Look for Floyd to match up often with burnable RCB Dunta Robinson Sunday. Approaching legit WR2 value, Floyd has at least 100 yards and/or a touchdown in eight of his last ten games.

The Falcons got back to their roots a bit early in their Week 2 game against Denver, employing a power-running offense that predictably sputtered. Michael Turner executed at the goal line on Atlanta's opening drive, went on to average 2.47 yards per carry on 17 runs, and hit the town at night. He was arrested Tuesday at 5AM for DUI and speeding. Turner is a first-time offender of the NFL's substance abuse policy and in no danger of suspension, but the off-field incident may give playcaller Dirk Koetter a convenient excuse to turn away from the declining onetime power back, possibly for good. Toss out a fluky Week 17 game against a Bucs defense that had already called it a season, and Turner has been completely ineffective since about midway through last year. No team in football has defended the run better than San Diego through a couple of games. Sit Turner in Week 3. ... Jacquizz Rodgers has overtaken Jason Snelling as the Falcons' No. 2 back. Rodgers has 12 touches compared to Snelling's four, and has played 35 more snaps. I wouldn't get excited about either one in fantasy leagues. Rodgers is a good football player and excels in the pass game, but continues to underwhelm as a ball carrier (2.5 YPC, career 3.43).

Matt Ryan is the No. 2 fantasy quarterback and I wouldn't expect him to slow down anytime soon. Ryan actually hit his stride last November. Over his past 11 regular season games, Ryan has a 25:4 TD-to-INT ratio with eight efforts of 260-plus yards. Consistent and possessing more upside than ever, Ryan will live up to his 2012 fantasy draft position and then some. The Chargers' defense is much less imposing through the air than on the ground. ... Roddy White will square off with heavy-footed LCB Quentin Jammer for most of this game's snaps, while Julio Jones deals with streaky RCB Antoine Cason. Both Falcons wide receivers have favorable Week 3 matchups. Trot 'em out. ... Tony Gonzalez doesn't run as well as he once did, but still has a knack for finding soft spots and is a go-to target in scoring position. He's locked in as a TE1. ... Ryan's target distribution through two weeks: White 19, Jones and Gonzalez 16, Harry Douglas 7, Rodgers 3. ... This offense can support three fantasy-viable pass catchers (Jones, White, Gonzalez), but not four. Douglas is buried in the passing-game pecking order and not roster-worthy in 12-team leagues.

Score Prediction: Falcons 27, Chargers 24

Philadelphia @ Arizona

The Cardinals have won nine of their last 11 games dating back to the middle of last season, but they have not scored more than 23 points in any of them. They are winning with defense. Arizona has playmakers at all three levels and should not be regarded as an attractive fantasy matchup going forward. Of course, I'm about to tell you to start virtually all of your Eagles this week. Sometimes this stuff doesn't just make sense. But we try to give credit where it's due. ... Michael Vick leads the NFL in turnovers and interceptions. He still ranks fifth among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring. Because Vick runs for so many yards and plays in such an explosive, passing-based offense, he's fantasy slump-proof as long as he's playing four quarters. And Vick will get better. You'll be glad you drafted him. ... DeSean Jackson has at least 80 total yards in four straight games dating back to last season and is playing with more of a focused chip on his shoulder. D-Jax moves around the formation enough that he won't exactly be easy for Patrick Peterson to follow in "shadow" coverage. Ride Jackson while he's hot, and especially when Jeremy Maclin (hip) isn't playing.

Maclin will apparently be a game-time decision, but I might write him off as a Week 3 fantasy option after he aggravated the hip trying to play through it last week, and finished with 23 yards. Maclin is a difference maker in real life and fantasy when healthy, but he could really benefit from a rest week. My guess is we won't see him at Arizona. ... Brent Celek leads the NFL in receptions of 20-plus yards. While his 18.5 yards-per-catch average is unsustainable, Celek was the primary beneficiary of Maclin's reduced Week 2 role, tying a career high with eight grabs and setting one with 157 yards. Celek is on the TE1 radar as long as Maclin is missing time. ... LeSean McCoy could afford to cut out the fumbling, but reasserted himself as matchup-proof with 89 total yards and a touchdown against the Ravens in Week 2. ... Rookie Bryce Brown has passed Dion Lewis on the tailback depth chart in Philadelphia and is a better McCoy handcuff for deep-league owners. ... Slot guy Jason Avant has been less of a factor than usual, failing to clear 35 receiving yards in the first two games. ... Undrafted rookie Damaris Johnson would see increased playing time against the Cards if Maclin can't go. Johnson has two catches for 23 yards through two games.

Friday Update: Maclin has been ruled out for Week 3.

I couldn't bring myself to bench Larry Fitzgerald under any scenario, but it's more than fair to be concerned after he managed just 67 combined yards in the first two games. It's notable, too, that Fitz dusted the Philly pass defense for seven catches, 146 yards, and two touchdowns in a November game last year. He'll bust his slump sooner rather than later. ... As the Patriots took Fitzgerald away in Week 2, it was Todd Heap to the rescue with 62 yards on five catches before spraining his left PCL. Heap just isn't a fantasy option this week. The 32-year-old has been unable to play effectively through injuries late in his career. ... Early Doucet, Andre Roberts, and Kevin Kolb are fantasy waiver-wire fodder against Philadelphia's top-four pass defense. ... Beanie Wells is under three yards a carry, and Ryan Williams is at 1.22. Neither is better than a fantasy RB3.

Score Prediction: Eagles 23, Cardinals 13

4:25PM ET Games

Pittsburgh @ Oakland

Denarius Moore returned from his two-month hamstring injury in Week 2 at Miami, starting at X receiver and tying Darrius Heyward-Bey for the team lead in targets (8). Pro Football Focus charted Moore with 40-of-65 snaps (61.5 percent). While a Week 3 date with Steelers RCB Ike Taylor isn't attractive for matchup purposes, Moore is on his way toward recapturing WR3 start-ability. Keep a close eye on Moore in Week 3, then consider starting him at Denver in Week 4. ... Heyward-Bey's snap percentage dropped from 91.9 in the opener to 73.8 with Moore's return against the Dolphins. Underwhelming so far in the Raiders' new offense, Heyward-Bey has yet to clear 45 yards in either of the first two games and will need to pick it up before he's given flex or WR3 consideration. ... Tight end Brandon Myers leads Oakland in receiving yards (151) through two weeks, which tells you all you need to know about the slow-starting Raiders passing game. Myers ran a 4.78 forty at 6-foot-3, 256 before Al Davis made him a sixth-round pick in the 2009 draft. Myers is getting a lot of playing time, but there are many TE2s with better fantasy upside. Look for Myers to spend this game as an in-line tight end trying to help block LaMarr Woodley.

Although his “fit” in Oakland’s new zone-blocking scheme has been widely questioned, Darren McFadden is the best trade target in fantasy football. When the ZBS system starts clicking, it can border on impossible to stop. Perhaps DMC will struggle again versus Pittsburgh's shutdown run defense, but his schedule looks like a cakewalk soon thereafter. With run-defense rankings in parentheses, here is McFadden's slate for the ensuing four games: @ Denver (7), @ Atlanta (25), vs. Jacksonville (31), @ Kansas City (27). Trade for McFadden while he's still affordable. ... Carson Palmer has just two touchdown passes through two games, the first on a garbage-time toss to rookie third receiver Rod Streater and the second on a screen pass, which No. 2 tailback Mike Goodson took 64 yards to the house. Palmer will get better as Moore gets healthier, but for now he should rank pretty low on QB2 lists.

No secondary has been struck as hard by early-season injuries as the Raiders'. LCB Ronald Bartell (broken shoulder) is out until midyear, while fellow starter RCB Shawntae Spencer (foot sprain) is sidelined indefinitely. With its run game nicked up and unreliable, Pittsburgh could shred Oakland with the pass if Todd Haley so chooses. The Raiders will trot out 31-year-old career slot corner Joselio Hanson and ex-Packers second-round bust Pat Lee (two career starts) as starters. Ben Roethlisberger couldn't ask for a more favorable matchup in sunny NorCal. ... Big Ben's target distribution on the young year: Antonio Brown 18, Emmanuel Sanders 12, Mike Wallace 11, Heath Miller 10, Jonathan Dwyer 6. ... Brown has over 70 yards in each of Pittsburgh's first two games and seems right on the brink of a breakout week. This matchup could push him over the top. Start 'em. ... Wallace has already found his groove in Haley's offense with touchdowns in Weeks 1 and 2. Though his targets seem low, Wallace has secured nine of the 11 balls thrown in his direction. The efficient start could lead to more looks from Roethlisberger and featured playcalls from Haley.

Miller is battling a rib injury that cost him most of this week's practice reps. While he figures to be active against the Raiders, Miller's low ceiling isn't worth the fantasy gamble. ... Sanders' high target count and 68-percent snap rate give him the look of a roster-worthy WR4/5. He could ascend to WR3 value with an injury to Wallace or Brown. Sanders is primarily a slot receiver, but can play outside if needed. ... Same as it ever was, Oakland's defense got pummeled by the run in last week's blowout loss to the Dolphins. Unfortunately, the Steelers lack a surefire starting fantasy back. Isaac Redman is averaging under 2.0 yards per carry, and Jonathan Dwyer is battling a mild case of turf toe while failing to exceed 13 touches in either of the first two games. Rashard Mendenhall (knee) won't play until Week 5. Dwyer continues to be the best fantasy bet in the Steelers' backfield, but that's not saying much. He's a complete roll of the dice as a flex option.

Score Prediction: Steelers 24, Raiders 10

Houston @ Denver

Running backs coach Chick Harris described the Texans' backfield to the Houston Chronicle this week: "The rotation might be four-two (Arian Foster to Ben Tate carries) or three-three," said Harris, explaining that touches will be distributed based mostly on game flow. "Once we see how each player is playing, who’s hot and who’s not, we’ll adjust accordingly." Foster is the premier running back play in the league every week, but Tate will keep fantasy owners guessing. He'll hurt you if the Texans don't grab a big early lead and lean on the running game. I wouldn't guess they'll grab a big early lead at Mile High this week. ... Andre Johnson's production dropped off in Week 2 because Houston took the air out of the football in a lopsided blowout of Jacksonville. The Texans are going to need Johnson this week in what could be a more passing-friendly shootout game. It's notable that the Broncos have yet to employ Champ Bailey in regular "shadow" coverage of opposing No. 1 receivers so far this year, instead "playing sides" and leaving Bailey at left cornerback. Perhaps they'll switch it up against the Texans, or maybe they won't. I'd plug Johnson into my fantasy lineup and hope Bailey spends another game at LCB.

Matt Schaub's target distribution through two games: Owen Daniels 17, Johnson 14, Foster 10, Tate 7, Kevin Walter and James Casey 6. ... The fact that Daniels continued to see heavy targets (9) -- rather than block -- in last week's easy win over the Jaguars is promising for his fantasy outlook moving forward. I still think Daniels is more high-end backup than surefire fantasy starter, but his sizable role is notable. Per Pro Football Focus, Daniels has played 125-of-158 snaps (79.1 percent) in the first two games, running 59 pass routes. For comparison's sake, trendy TE1/2s Kyle Rudolph and Dennis Pitta have each run 66 routes. So despite his offense's decidedly run-first design, Daniels isn't that far off guys generating considerably more fantasy buzz. ... The rest of the Texans' pass catchers are off the fantasy radar for the foreseeable future. Casey is an interesting, versatile talent but Houston makes no effort to get him the ball. ... While Schaub is plenty capable of going toe-to-toe with some of the league's finest passers, Houston's offensive philosophy prevents him from putting up big fantasy stats. Schaub has one touchdown pass or fewer in six of his past nine games. He is worth a look in two-quarterback leagues and that's it.

Beware Houston's pass defense. LE J.J. Watt is terrorizing passers, and RCB Johnathan Joseph is taking away their top wide receivers. Even LCB Kareem Jackson has looked good early, albeit against Ryan Tannehill and Blaine Gabbert. But the domination of Houston's No. 1 pass defense is nothing new; Wade Phillips' group held the league's No. 1 ranking a year ago as well. Peyton Manning has been a Jekyll & Hyde quarterback through two games, looking sharp as can be against the Steelers in Week 1 and like a dull-armed, declining 36-year-old for much of Week 2 against the Falcons. I would be surprised if Manning posted top-15 quarterback stats in Week 3. I couldn't bring myself to start him in such a brutal matchup. ... No wide receiver has more fantasy points than Demaryius Thomas through the season's first two weeks. Thomas runs most of his pass routes against opposing right corners, and will experience Joseph's suffocating coverage for the majority of Sunday's game. You can't bench Thomas, but expectations should be checked.

Look for Eric Decker to lead Denver in receiving this week. Jackson plays most of his snaps in "off" coverage, giving wideouts a lenient cushion. Decker can eat him up with underneath routes. Despite a relatively slow start, Decker needs to stay in fantasy lineups. He has the most favorable Week 3 matchup of any Broncos pass catcher. ... Jacob Tamme showed why he is not a legit TE1 with a 27-snap Week 2 game. The Broncos can turn to Brandon Stokley in the slot, and No. 2 tight end Joel Dreessen is a superior blocker. While Tamme can be an effective possession pass catcher, he is a replaceable player in this offense. I'd rather start Dennis Pitta, Kyle Rudolph, and maybe even Scott Chandler. ... Willis McGahee is averaging a rock-solid 4.66 yards per carry through two games, displaying power, balance, and speed to the corner rare for a running back who turns 31 in a month. Houston's defense is similarly prohibitive against rushing attacks, but McGahee can be relied upon for 16-plus touches and all goal-line work. He's an every-week RB2.

Score Prediction: Texans 23, Broncos 17

Sunday Night Football

New England @ Baltimore

On Wednesday's NFL Live, ESPN's Mark Schlereth did a nice job of explaining why Wes Welker's playing time was scaled back in the first two games. "With Josh McDaniels as their new offensive coordinator, they've turned to the running game. This has become a balanced offense. It's gonna take some time to find its rhythm. They've never run the ball like this. They've become a power-zone team featuring Stevan Ridley." It may be all water under the bridge moving forward. The Pats need Welker after losing Aaron Hernandez to a high ankle sprain, and Welker's snap rate unsurprisingly leaped following Hernandez's injury. Welker played 77 percent of the downs against Arizona, caught five balls for 95 yards, and only Brandon Lloyd was targeted more. Welker has at least six receptions in each of his last three meetings with Baltimore. His yardage and TDs are unlikely to approach last year's totals, but Welker will continue to be a major PPR asset. ... Lloyd is leading New England in targets and is on the verge of a breakout game. You can feel it coming. The Ravens religiously keep top CB Lardarius Webb at left cornerback and play him in the slot on passing downs, and Lloyd runs most of his routes down the opposite side of the field. Likely to square off early and often with more vulnerable RCB Cary Williams, Lloyd might be the best fantasy play in Sunday night's game.

Friday Update: Lloyd is listed as questionable on the injury report with a "thigh" ailment. Lloyd played 82-of-82 snaps in Week 2, and two folks regularly at Patriots headquarters both believe he'll be playing against Baltimore. I also asked a national reporter who used to cover the Patriots, and he too thinks Lloyd will play. Despite the Q tag, I believe Lloyd is worth waiting for in the Sunday night game because he's likely to play, has a great matchup, and is right on the cusp of a breakthrough week.

Through two games, at least, Baltimore's defense has not looked like the juggernaut it once was, without Terrell Suggs. And Suggs' loss has been felt both in run and pass defense. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and LeSean McCoy have both had rushing success against the Ravens, and they served up 371 passing yards to a previously struggling Michael Vick in Week 2. Ridley has at least 21 touches in each of the first two weeks and 247 yards from scrimmage. Always a good bet for goal-line scores, Ridley is an every-week starter until proven otherwise. ... Tom Brady has not gotten off to his usual red-hot start, and a dip in pass attempts is cause for early-season fantasy concern as New England tweaks its offensive philosophy. But there are holes in the Baltimore pass defense, which has struggled to get after quarterbacks through the first two weeks. ... Julian Edelman's snaps are up this year, but his production is underwhelming. He has six catches for 57 yards on eight targets. ... In addition to Welker, the Patriots figure to lean on Rob Gronkowski more as Hernandez rehabs his ankle. Gronkowski is up to 24 touchdowns in his last 24 games.

The Eagles' 9-Technique defense put the brakes on Baltimore's no-huddle last week, rendering Joe Flacco a checkdown specialist and forcing him into two turnovers. He completed 22 passes, but just four combined to first-team receivers Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin. Flacco can still register career-best passing stats this season -- I think he will -- but it's too early to anoint him a locked-in QB1. He's more of a low-end fantasy starter and top-end QB2. ... Dennis Pitta leads all tight ends in targets and catches through two games. Promoted into the starting lineup ahead of Ed Dickson, Pitta is playing 72 percent of the Ravens' offensive snaps and rarely blocking when he's on the field. He's an integral part of Baltimore's revised plan of attack. Start him against the Patriots. ... Flacco's target distribution through a couple of games: Pitta 24, Ray Rice 14, Boldin 9, Smith 8, Dickson 7, Jacoby Jones 5. ... New England's defense has not been the sieve it was last season against the pass, so aside from Pitta no Baltimore pass catchers have particularly attractive Week 3 fantasy matchups. I'd feel better about Smith if more balls were going his way.

Sunday Update: Torrey Smith's younger brother Tevin passed away late Saturday, and Smith left the Ravens' team hotel at 2AM Sunday following the tragedy. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported that Smith still wants to play on Sunday night, but there are no guarantees and the Ravens are leaving the final decision up to Torrey. I see this as a situation to avoid, particularly in the late start. If Smith does not play against the Patriots, Jacoby Jones would get the nod with Baltimore's starting lineup.

The Patriots held Rice in check the last two times these two teams met, but the Ravens aren't running the football out of the I-formation on every snap anymore. The no-huddle allows Rice more opportunities to get the ball in space, and he's capitalizing en route to an average of seven yards per touch. The No. 5 overall fantasy back through two games, Rice remains an elite RB1 play every single week. ... Even more so than Smith, Boldin needs volume to sustain start-able fantasy production because his big-play ability has all but evaporated. I thought Boldin looked great in the opener. But he caught two balls for seven scoreless yards in Week 2. Boldin can't be trusted as a WR3. He's a weak flex option, too. ... An update on Ravens WR Tandon Doss, who made the offseason all-hype team: Doss has one target and a six-yard catch on 18 snaps so far.

Score Prediction: Patriots 20, Ravens 17

Monday Night Football

Green Bay @ Seattle

Cedric Benson added a new dimension to Green Bay's offense in Week 2 against the Bears, rushing 20 times for a steady 81 yards and chipping in a 4/35 stat line in the pass game. Even at age 29 after over 1,500 career carries, Benson has maintained quick feet and plenty of power. Can he keep it up against the NFL's premier run defenses? Seattle has suffocated the Dallas and Arizona tailback corps to the tune of 72 yards on 30 rushing attempts, amounting to an average yards-per-carry of 2.40. The Packers have an ability to keep defenses in run-friendly nickel packages with four-wideout sets, but this is an awfully difficult matchup on paper. Benson is a flex option. ... Just 19th in fantasy QB scoring through two games, Aaron Rodgers is off to a painfully slow start, particularly for the first-round quarterback crowd. He's still a lock to get back on track. The Seahawks play strong pass defense, but often force offenses to pour on pass attempts due to their inability to run against Seattle's front. Rodgers probably isn't in for a monster Monday night fantasy game, but has elite talent complemented by sheer passing volume on his side. Start 'em.

We'll know more about Greg Jennings' (groin) status by Saturday after an apparent in-practice setback. You should already know the drill if Jennings is inactive. Via Pro Football Focus, here are the snap and target tallies from last Thursday's win over Chicago: Jordy Nelson 66/9, Jermichael Finley 55/6, James Jones 54/5, Randall Cobb 20/2. ... Cobb's two targets and low snap total were disappointing, although he missed some time with an early stinger and late-game hamstring injury. Keep Cobb reserved as a WR4 until we see sustained production. ... Jones laid an absolute egg against the Bears despite a healthy dose of involvement. He's a maddening fantasy player to try to predict. The Seahawks have outside cornerbacks capable of locking down perimeter receivers with physical press coverage, and Jones has never been great at getting off the jam. I'd write Jones off as a Week 3 fantasy option. ... I previously talked up Dez Bryant and Marques Colston as ideal buy-low receiver targets. Jordy Nelson has been more productive than both, but impatient fantasy owners get distressed when their guys aren't scoring touchdowns and Nelson has yet to find pay dirt. Trade for Nelson if you can and start him on Monday night. ... Finley already has three dropped passes and his agent publicly questioned Rodgers' leadership skills in the media this week. Finley is a talented headcase, apparently surrounded by more headcases. He's a wholly boom-or-bust TE1.

I like Seattle in the upset. In addition to the obvious 12th-man homefield advantage, the Seahawks are as capable as any team of exploiting a soft front seven with power-zone running. Marshawn Lynch dominated a strong Dallas front seven for 122 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries in Week 2, and has at least 85 rushing yards in ten of his past 11 games. Green Bay is serving up over five yards a carry on the ground. Run defense has been their team weakness through two weeks and extending back into the 2011 season. Look for some Beast Mode runs out of Lynch on Monday night. ... Away from Rodgers' side of the ball, the Packers' strength has been pass defense. They have used CB Tramon Williams to shadow opposing No. 1 wide receivers, and he executed with a two-catch, 24-yard shutdown of Brandon Marshall last Thursday. The Packers can also get after the passer. Expect a big night for Seattle's run game, and a conservative day through the air.